Man spotted taking eggs from sea turtle nest

Investigators are seeking a man photographed taking eggs from a sea turtle's nest on Casey Key.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released photographs that showed the man digging in the sand above a marked sea turtle's nest and taking loggerhead eggs on Aug. 13.

Loggerhead sea turtles are endangered. State and federal laws protect their nests. According to Mote Marine's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, there were five loggerhead sea turtle nests on Casey Key at the time of the incident.

When a witness confronted the suspect about why he was disturbing a nest, the man reportedly said he was collecting eggs to be released later when they hatched.

Hayley Rutger, a Mote Marine spokeswoman, said sea turtle researchers inspected the nest after the incident but were unable to conclude whether the remaining eggs were damaged.

“Obviously, they're very sensitive,” Rutger said. “Basically, anything you could do to disturb a nest is something we would tell you to absolutely never do.”

Destroying a sea turtle nest or eggs is a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

Gary Morse, a spokesman with the FFWCC, said Casey Key and Siesta Key are two of the most problematic areas in Florida when it comes to disturbing sea turtle nests.

He said the popularity of the beaches, easy access to nests and a high number of nests all contribute to the higher-than-average rate of disturbances.

“It could be that these individuals are harvesting these eggs and selling them on the black market,” Morse said. “But we aren't sure.”

Some cultures, especially in the Caribbean, eat sea turtle eggs as a delicacy.

Anyone with information about the removal of sea turtle eggs on Casey Key is urged to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922. Those who report wildlife and fisheries law violations may remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward upon arrest of a violator.

EARLIER: Investigators are looking for a man who was photographed taking eggs from a sea turtle's nest on Casey Key.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released photographs Wednesday that showed the suspect digging in the sand above a marked sea turtle's nest.A witness who took the photographs told the FWC that the suspect took the eggs on Aug. 13.

According to Mote Marine's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, there were five loggerhead sea turtles nest on Casey Key at the time of the incident.

When the witness confronted the suspect about why he was disturbing the nest, the man allegedly said he was collecting eggs to be released later when they hatched.

Hayley Rutger, a Mote Marine spokeswinabm said sea turtle researchers inspected the nest after the incident but were unable to conclude whether the remaining eggs were damaged.

“Obviously they're very sensitive,” Rutger said. “Basically, anything you could do to disturb a nest is something we would tell you to absolutely never do.”

Sea turtles, their eggs and their nests are protected under state and federal laws.

Destroying a sea turtle nest or eggs is a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

Anyone having information about the removal of sea turtle eggs on Casey Key is urged to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922. Those reporting wildlife and fisheries law violations may remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward upon arrest of a violator.